50th annual Market Days opens during heat wave

John DuPont prepares kettle corn at his booth at a Concord, N.H., street fair on Thursday morning, June 20, 2024, where the temperature was already near 90 degrees. (AP Photo/Kathy McCormack)

John DuPont prepares kettle corn at his booth at a Concord, N.H., street fair on Thursday morning, June 20, 2024, where the temperature was already near 90 degrees. (AP Photo/Kathy McCormack) Kathy McCormack

A bank clock overlooking the Market Days street fair in Concord, N.H., shows the temperature Thursday morning, June 20, 2024. A heat wave moved closer to a breaking point Thursday, with millions of people sweating it out for another day. (AP Photo/Kathy McCormack)

A bank clock overlooking the Market Days street fair in Concord, N.H., shows the temperature Thursday morning, June 20, 2024. A heat wave moved closer to a breaking point Thursday, with millions of people sweating it out for another day. (AP Photo/Kathy McCormack) Kathy McCormack

Autumn Hopler, of Candle Tree, sold “Market Haze” beer cans from Concord Craft Brewing Co. filled with black raspberry-scented soy wax, which were made exclusively for Market Days.

Autumn Hopler, of Candle Tree, sold “Market Haze” beer cans from Concord Craft Brewing Co. filled with black raspberry-scented soy wax, which were made exclusively for Market Days. SRUTHI GOPALAKRISHNAN—

Visitors take part in the annual Market Days street fair in Concord, N.H., on Thursday morning, June 20, 2024, with temperatures in the 90s. A heat wave extending from the Midwest to New England moved closer to a breaking point Thursday, with millions of people sweating it out for another day. (AP Photo/Kathy McCormack)

Visitors take part in the annual Market Days street fair in Concord, N.H., on Thursday morning, June 20, 2024, with temperatures in the 90s. A heat wave extending from the Midwest to New England moved closer to a breaking point Thursday, with millions of people sweating it out for another day. (AP Photo/Kathy McCormack) Kathy McCormack

John DuPont prepares kettle corn at a street fair in Concord, N.H., on Thursday morning, June 20, 2024, where the temperature was near 90 degrees. (AP Photo/Kathy McCormack)

John DuPont prepares kettle corn at a street fair in Concord, N.H., on Thursday morning, June 20, 2024, where the temperature was near 90 degrees. (AP Photo/Kathy McCormack) Kathy McCormack

Charleen Nikias lends a hand at her niece Sandy Ryan's lemonade stand, which is hard to miss with its garland of lemons.

Charleen Nikias lends a hand at her niece Sandy Ryan's lemonade stand, which is hard to miss with its garland of lemons. SRUTHI GOPALAKRISHNAN—

Charleen Nikias lends a hand at her niece Sandy Ryan's lemonade stand, which is hard to miss with its garland of lemons.

Charleen Nikias lends a hand at her niece Sandy Ryan's lemonade stand, which is hard to miss with its garland of lemons. SRUTHI GOPALAKRISHNAN—

The 50th annual Market Days began during a heat wave.

The 50th annual Market Days began during a heat wave. SRUTHI GOPALAKRISHNAN—

Pam Marroney, manager at Bona Fide is happy to be at the 50th anniversary of Market Days and engage with the community.

Pam Marroney, manager at Bona Fide is happy to be at the 50th anniversary of Market Days and engage with the community. SRUTHI GOPALAKRISHNAN—

Kristen McCoy visits Market Days on Thursday to grab a quick lunch

Kristen McCoy visits Market Days on Thursday to grab a quick lunch SRUTHI GOPALAKRISHNAN—

Autumn Hopler shows the soy candles made just for Market Days

Autumn Hopler shows the soy candles made just for Market Days SRUTHI GOPALAKRISHNAN—

By SRUTHI GOPALAKRISHNAN

Monitor staff

Published: 06-20-2024 1:26 PM

Modified: 06-20-2024 3:28 PM


The 50th anniversary of Market Days kicked off Thursday in the middle of a heat wave, transforming downtown Concord into a sizzling celebration of summer, filled with the aroma of chicken on the grill for freshly made gyros, local artists and vendors showcasing unique products, and children laughing and playing while gobbling down ice cream.

Kristen McCoy found the location perfect for a quick lunch break from her job at the State House.

“It’s a nice brisk pop out for lunch, people watch, grab some food and grab some lemonade,” said McCoy. This is her second time at Market Days.

“It brings everyone out,” she said, heading over to order a slice of pizza from a place she hadn’t tried before.

Pam Marroney, manager at Bona Fide, a store featuring eco-friendly products, encourages everyone to visit not just her booth but also others to support all local businesses.

“We encourage everyone to come down,” she said. “Intown has done an amazing job. So come down and join us.”

Apart from the culinary delights, the event buzzed with music and pop-up stores, offering activities like spin-the-wheel and carnival games.

“Being here for Market Days is very exciting. A lot of people coming out and just enjoying the weather. It’s been great out here,” said Autumn Hopler, who works for Candle Tree, as fans hummed steadily behind her to beat the summer heat.

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Hopler sold “Market Haze” beer cans from Concord Craft Brewing Co. filled raspberry sangria-scented soy wax, which were made exclusively for Market Days.

The Main Street festival is also a time to see the community on display. The first day of Market Days drew a diverse crowd, from children to the elderly, some using hand fans to cool themselves while others sported hats shaped like umbrellas.

Most vendors hail from Concord, setting up booths just outside their shops.

Sandi Ryan from Sandi’s Concessions came from Candia with her lemonade stand, which was hard to miss with its garland of lemons.

She reminisced about her long tenure, stretching back to the days when Market Days was known as Old Bargain Days, having first set up her stand in 1996.

“It has grown and expanded so much,” said Ryan. “We love the patrons here.”